“Not getting any better”: Concerns for Collingwood and Kangaroos in wake of close encounter

Both Collingwood and North Melbourne have come out of their pre-season clash with glaring questions over their prospects for 2026. 

The Magpies went into their final pre-season match missing Nick Daicos, Scott Pendlebury, Steele Sidebottom, Jack Crisp, Jamie Elliott, Jordan De Goey, Darcy Moore and Jeremy Howe, with a host of depth options required to feature. 

Collingwood finished fourth on the ladder last season with 16 wins, however former Hawthorn midfielder Daniel Harford believes they could be in for a slide in 2026.

"Their footy's not getting any better, and from what we saw [on Sunday], there's not enough young talent coming through to sustain this next phase," Harford said on the Six Points AFL Podcast. 

"It's a big watch for me in season 2026, what happens to the Pies, who I think are on the slide big time."

Collingwood decided to manage their star players over the final weeks of their pre-season, with a number of their key players not featuring in either of their two matches, leaving Mark Stevens to question whether it's going to pay off.

"It's interesting with Collingwood what they are doing," Stevens said. "This is a totally different preparation for a season of footy.

"Some guys at Collingwood are going in with basically nothing; they're going in clean."

The Pies may look to manage their more experienced players throughout the season, and Harford believes it's going to have an impact in 2026.

"Well, maybe they are just gonna manage these guys all the way through, and we'll see, particularly those experienced guys, play four or five, then have a rest," Harford added.

"Maybe that's how they manage it through the season, but it's gonna affect their win-loss ratio."

Even though the Kangaroos came away with the win on Sunday, Stevens was disappointed with Alastair Clarkson's side in their final pre-season hitout.

"I set that game as a five-goal win as a par for North," Stevens said.

"They were kinda half celebrating, but I think North are under the pump after that performance.

"When you look at the first round draft picks on their list, I think they should be doing better.

"Really, I think they must be winning seven games plus and have some serious progression this year, otherwise there will be pressure on.

"I think the pressure starts Round 1 against Port Adelaide. If Port Adelaide come out and roll North by eight goals, which could happen, then I think the pressure is right on Clarko and Sonja Hood."